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On matchday five of the 2021-22 Premier League season, West Ham United welcomed Manchester United to the London Stadium. The encounter produced many talking points, especially regarding the referee's decision-making.
The match also reminded us of the highs and lows of the beautiful game. David Moyes's team put in a valiant effort to keep the Red Devils at bay but Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men managed to come out on top yet again.
Former Hammer, Jesse Lingard managed to give Manchester United a late lead a minute from full time. But as the match entered injury time, West Ham were awarded a penalty. But David de Gea denied Mark Noble, who was only brought on to take the kick, to gift Manchester United all three points.
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The win also meant that Manchester United joined Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with thirteen points from five matches.
On that note, let's take a look at
Manchester United's top 5 players from GW5 of the Premier League
#5 Nemanja Matić
Nemanja Matić is often tasked with the responsibility to protect his defenders. In the match against West Ham, he came on as a substitute in the final few minutes of the game as United struggled to keep possession in midfield.
With United chasing a winner, the substitution proved to be fruitful as Matic provided the assist for the winning goal scored by Jesse Lingard.
Matic had a positive influence on the game and was one of the visitors' top performers.
#4 Bruno Fernandes
There are myriad reasons to believe that when Bruno Fernandes plays well, Manchester United play well. The West Ham encounter was no different as Fernandes played a vital part in Cristiano Ronaldo's equalizer for United.
Fernandes' immense off-the-ball workrate has also been crucial for United over the past year and a half, and that was the case against the Hammers as well. The Portuguese midfielder also came close to scoring in the match, only for his shot to strike the post.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
With four goals in three games since his Manchester United return, Cristiano Ronaldo is on course to have yet another prolific season.
His goal came from a Bruno Fernandes delivery. Ronaldo struck straight at West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who spilled the ball to make it an easy tap-in for the United talisman.
Cristiano Ronaldo is proving himself to be an efficient goalscoring outlet for his team .
#2 David de Gea
David de Gea has started all five of Manchester United's Premier League fixtures so far. In all of those matches, he has put in performances worthy of a man-of-the-match award.
Now, with a spectacular performance against West Ham United, De Gea has announced in style that he is well and truly back to his best.
De Gea earned United three important points by saving an injury time penalty from West Ham United legend Mark Noble. That made him the second best performer for United on the day.
#1 Jesse Lingard
A misplaced Jesse Lingard pass had a big role to play in Manchester United's shock opening day 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to the Young Boys. But Manchester United's trip to West Ham turned out to be his redemption. He scored a spectacular match-winning goal that got his team all three points.
He did not celebrate the goal, however, as a gesture of respect to West Ham United fans who welcomed him last January on a six-month-long loan.
His performance against West Ham signified exactly what Lingard could bring to the game. With two goals in two substitute appearances in the Premier League, he is proving himself capable of earning a new contract from the club.
